Staff

Once you request the services of Ryan Funeral Home, we will immediately put our experienced funeral professionals to work for you. A single, dedicated individual will stay in contact with you every step of the way and guide you through the decision-making process. He or she will carefully explain your options, make recommendations at your request, take care of all the small details, and ensure that you and your family’s personal touch is always present.

Joe Schinkten

Mr. Schinkten is the owner and senior member of the full time staff at Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory of De Pere. A native of Door County, Joe joined Bob Ryan and Lloyd Meyer in 1978 as an apprentice and moved up in the ranks in the ensuing years. Joe was named Vice-President in 1983 and became owner and President of the firm in 1996.

Joe's commitment to both the funeral profession as well as our community can be seen in his continuous service to Northeast Wisconsin, a trait that he picked up very early in life from his parents, the late Duffy and Alyce Schinkten and his predecessor, the late Bob Ryan.

Currently Joe serves as member Past President and member of the De Pere Kiwanis Club, Sacristan at Old St. Joe's Parish at St. Norbert College, the Green Bay YMCA Board of Directors, Notre Dame Booster Club, the Green Bay YMCA Y's Men's Club Board, a member of the De Pere Police and Fire Commissionor, a member and Past President of the De Pere Chamber of Commerce, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, member and Past Chairman of the St. Norbert College President's Club, founding member of the Celebrate Committee, Past Board member of De Pere Main Street Program, Wisconsin Volunteer of the Year from Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, and Door County Maritime Museum. Professionally, Joe currently is Founder and twice Past-President of the Wisconsin Funeral Service & Cremation Alliance, Fox River Valley Funeral Directors Associations as well as the Green Bay Area Funeral Directors Association, International member and Past State Membership Chairman for Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

Joe and his wife, Susie live in Historic De Pere with their two sons, Timothy and Andrew. The family enjoys downhill skiing, swimming, golf, camping, traveling and adventure sports. Joe can be reached personally at: jschinkten@ryanfh.com

Scott Baeten

Scott was born on August 11, 1969 in De Pere to Allen and Janice (Kamps) Baeten. Scott is the youngest of five.

Scott was a 1984 graduate of St. Boniface Grade School and a 1988 graduate of West De Pere High School. In 1992 he graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois. On September 24, 1992, Scott married the former Carrie Micke at St. Joseph Catholic Church in De Pere. Scott and Carrie reside in the Town of Lawrence with their three children.

Scott has also been very active in the Knights of Columbus, and is a Past Grand Knight in Fr. Peters Council 8061 in Freedom, Wisconsin. Scott is also a former member of the Freedom Lions.

Currently Scott is a 3rd Degree member of Abbot Pennings Council 3955 of the Knights of Columbus, in De Pere and a member of Assembly 1724 of the 4th Degree Honor Guard. He is also a member of Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Wisconsin Funeral Service Alliance, and is a Past President of the Fox River Valley Funeral Directors Association.

Scott's wife Carrie is a partner at ISC (Insurance Service Center) in De Pere. Scott and Carrie are members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in De Pere, where Scott serves as a member of the parish council as well as an usher. Scott also coaches 5th & 6th grade soccer at Our Lady of Lourdes.

James Wolfe

James was born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. The eldest child of three to Steven and Sherry Wolfe.

James began working at Ryan Funeral Home in January 2006 and became fully licensed in March 30, 2007.

James graduated from Janesville Parker High School in 1997. He then continued schooling at University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh graduating in 2002 with a BS in General Biology. It was at this point that James began working in the funeral profession.

He began with his apprenticeship in 2003 at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes, Oshkosh. During which time he then went to Milwaukee Area Technical College to finish his Associates Degree in Funeral Service. James graduated in 2006.

James is an active member in the De Pere Noon Optimist Club, Big Brother Big Sister of Green Bay, Current Young Professionals Network, Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Wisconsin Funeral Service Alliance, and is a board member of the Fox River Valley Funeral Directors Association.

Chad Chervenka

Chad was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is the youngest of three children.

Chad began working with Ryan Funeral Home in 2008, as an apprentice and became fully licensed in February 25, 2010.

Chad is a 1997 graduate of Southwest High School. After high school Chad traveled around the United States working at many National Park Resorts. Chad continued his education at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and received his Associates Degree in Funeral Service, at Milwaukee Area Technical College in May of 2009. He was also a member of Sigma Phi Sigma.

Chad is currently engaged to Kristin Fritsch of De Pere and is getting married this September 10, 2010. Chad and Kristin enjoy; playing tennis, cooking, fishing, and going to their cabin in Coleman, Wisconsin. They resided in De Pere.

Currently, Chad is a member of Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Wisconsin Funeral Service Alliance, Fox River Valley Funeral Directors Association. and the Greenleaf Landscaping & Garden Club.